WASHINGTON - In a weekly video address, Senator Chuck Grassley discussed amendments he filed to the comprehensive farm and nutrition bill being debated in the U.S. Senate.  Nearly 80 percent of the farm and nutrition bill is funding for programs such as the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP or food stamps).  The remaining 20 percent of the funding goes to programs that enhance agriculture and rural communities.

Here is the text of Grassley's address:

The United States Senate debated a comprehensive farm and nutrition bill this week.

The minor percentage of this legislation that is geared toward agriculture and rural America is a way to give farmers the kind of certainty they deserve.

In fact, people may not realize that nearly 80 percent of the funding in the farm bill is geared toward nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(or food stamps); the Emergency Food Assistance Program; and other food assistance programs for seniors and children.

The rest of the bill - the 20 percent for agriculture - includes changes to federal farm programs to enable a marketplace where American agriculture can thrive and both feed and fuel the world.

I offered a few amendments during the Senate debate focused on:

1)      holding accountable the bureaucracy at the United States Department of Agriculture.

2)      holding the line on fairness in farm program payments.

3)      putting the expertise of the Department of Agriculture to work with the Justice Department's formal role in scrutinizing the state of competition in the agriculture marketplace.

My first amendment is a direct response to the Environmental Protection Agency's release of personal information about more than 80,000 livestock and poultry owners nationwide to three activist groups.  The EPA released a lot of personal information even when the definition of a Consolidated Animal Feeding Operation wasn't met, including cases where people owned a single pig or 12 horses, for example.  My amendment would allow EPA to collect and disclose information in the aggregate, for transparency, but it would protect individuals' personal information from release by the federal government.

My second amendment would make sure the farm program payment reform I've worked so hard to get included in the farm bill - to keep the farm program focused on small and mid-size farms - isn't unraveled for peanut farmers.

My third amendment would create a special counsel position at the United States Department of Agriculture to analyze mergers in the food and agriculture sectors.  This person would work closely with the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to fight anti-competitive forces in the agricultural marketplace, forces that make it difficult for independent ag producers to compete and thrive.

The farm bill is expected to pass the Senate with bipartisan support.

Remembers Former St. Isaac Jogues Classmate and Congressional Medal of Honor Awardee Lance Corporal Lester Weber, USMC

HINSDALE - In honor of Memorial Day Weekend, Governor Pat Quinn today joined students at his grammar school alma mater, St. Isaac Jogues in Hinsdale, to remember our servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. Ten years ago this week, then-Lt. Governor Quinn dedicated a plaque at the school to honor a former classmate, Congressional Medal of Honor Awardee Lance Corporal Lester Weber of the United States Marine Corps.

"Memorial Day is a time for everyone to remember and honor our servicemembers who put their lives on the line each day to protect our freedom," Governor Quinn said. "Lance Corporal Lester William Weber, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, is a true American hero. I encourage everyone in Illinois to take a few moments this weekend to reflect upon our servicemembers, and give thanks for their service and sacrifice."

Lester William Weber, who attended St. Isaac Jogues Grammar School with Governor Quinn, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in September of 1966 and in the U.S. Marines Corps in January of 1967. He served a tour in Vietnam as an ammunition carrier and squad leader with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division as a Private First Class, and was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1967.

In January 1969, Lance Corporal Weber extended his tour and assumed duty as a squad leader with the 2nd Platoon, Company M, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. On February 23, 1969, he led a search and clear operation in Vietnam, where his platoon was attacked by a heavily-armed North Vietnamese Army battalion. Weber was mortally wounded while attempting to save the lives of two of his comrades from enemy fire, after having overwhelmed at least eleven enemy troops.

Lance Corporal Weber received the Medal of Honor, the military's highest honor, in 1969, for his "conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and unwavering devotion to duty." His decorations also include the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

In 2003, then-Lt. Governor Quinn dedicated a plaque to Lance Corporal Weber for sacrificing his life in Vietnam. The plaque is affixed to a granite boulder outside of St. Isaac Jogues Grammar School and reads:

"Semper Fidelis. Lance Cpl. Lester Weber, USMC. 1948-1969. Congressional Medal of Honor Winner.  Lance Cpl. Lester Weber, USMC, a St. Isaac Jogues parishioner and graduate was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously in 1969 for his "conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and unwavering devotion to duty." On February 23, 1969 in South Vietnam, Lance Cpl. Weber saved his platoon before sustaining mortal injuries. Dedicated this 25th day of May, 2003."

Governor Quinn is a longtime champion of Illinois' Veterans and servicemembers. As State Treasurer, he launched Operation Homefront to inform National Guard members and reservists of their rights under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act. As Lt. Governor, his Illinois Military Family Relief Act to aid the spouses and children of those called to active duty became a model for other states. As Governor, he has visited Illinois troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Germany, and is committed to the goal of getting 100,000 Veterans hired in Illinois by 2020.

For more information on how to support Illinois' Veterans and servicemembers and their families, please visit OperationHomefront.org.

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SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) issued the following statement after the



House passed concealed carry legislation on Friday:



"Passing concealed carry legislation in the Illinois House today is a monumental step forward



after years of deadlock and inaction in Springfield have denied citizens their basic rights. For



too long, Illinois has been the only state in the nation to bar citizens from the free and proper



exercise of their Second Amendment Constitutional rights. After today's historic vote, Illinois is



finally within reach of becoming the last state in the nation to allow for the concealed carry of a



firearm and giving law-abiding, responsible gun owners the ability to defend themselves.



"Senate Bill 2193 is a 'shall issue' measure that protects the rights of law-abiding gun owners



to carry in the state of Illinois while preventing municipalities from enacting their own



burdensome restrictions. A disjointed state law not only would infringe on citizens' rights, but



also force the burden of learning 208 towns' guns laws on law-abiding, legally carrying citizens.



"The bill we passed today is an important step in the right direction to guarantee gun owners'



rights. Clearing the House with a veto-proof majority sends the message that my colleagues are



ready to respect the Second Amendment. I urge every Senator in this state to vote for this bill



and send it to the governor's desk immediately."



For more information, contact Smiddy's office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or



toll free at (855) 243-4988.



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Award recognizes farmers serving as local leaders in environmental stewardship

DES MOINES - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today reminded farmers that nominations for the 2013 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards are due by June 15, 2013.   The award recognizes the efforts of Iowa's farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality.

Nomination forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov under "Hot Topics."

"These awards are an opportunity to recognize the many farmers that are taking significant voluntary steps to protect the soil and improve water quality here in Iowa," Branstad and Reynolds said.  "Iowa farmers take great pride in caring for the soil and water, and we want to lift them up as examples for other farmers to follow."

The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources and it seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.

Farmers that are nominated should have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farm and adopted best management practices throughout their farming operation.  As true stewards of the land, they recognize that improved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that extend beyond their fields to citizens of Iowa and residents even further downstream.

An appointed committee of representatives from both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners.

The recipients will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair on Thursday, August 15 at the Penningroth Center.  A lunch for award winners sponsored by Hagie will follow at the Farm Bureau shelter house on the fairgrounds.

The award was created in 2012 and 67 Iowa farm families were recognized during the inaugural award ceremony at the Iowa State Fair.  Winners receive a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto.

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